Vibrating toothbrush and a replaceable brush head for use with the same

ABSTRACT

A vibrating toothbrush comprising a handle including a body with a tubular member extending outwardly from one end. A replaceable sleeve slides over the tubular member and detachably engages the body. One or more of the sleeve, tubular member and body incorporates a vibration damping zone for reducing vibration transmission from the sleeve to the handle. The damping zone is one of a material that differs in damping properties to the material of the rest of the toothbrush; a hole defined in the one of the sleeve, tubular member and body, and a toothbrush where that hole is filled with an elastomeric material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/503,993, filed Jul. 16, 2009; the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to dental care. More particularly, theinvention relates to toothbrushes. Specifically, the invention relatesto a vibrating toothbrush that includes a handle with a tubular memberextending outwardly from one end of a body, and a replaceable brush headsleeve that slides over the tubular member and detachably engages thehandle, and wherein one or more of the sleeve, tubular member and bodyincorporate vibration damping zones that aid in reducing vibrationtransmission from the vibrating head through to the handle of thetoothbrush.

2. Background Information

There are many vibrating electric toothbrushes available on the market.Most have a small motor with an off-center weight disposed proximate theend of the drive shaft. The motor typically is located in the handleportion of the brush and the drive shaft and eccentric weight isdisposed closer to the brush head. One of the problems encountered inthis type of toothbrush is that the vibratory action at the bristle tipsis substantially reduced and, in fact, the handle has a tendency tovibrate more than the bristle tips. This problem results in a less thandesirable cleaning action.

Various inventors have attempted to address the issue of controllinghandle vibration. One example is found in Hahn, U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,681.Hahn discloses a vibrating toothbrush having a handle and a headconnected together by a shank. A motor is mounted in the handle and adrive shaft extends outwardly therefrom and through the shank and has aneccentric weight attached thereto in a region proximate the head. As thedrive shaft rotates, the eccentric weight causes vibrations in the brushhead. These vibrations would be transmitted into the handle but thedrive shaft is made from a flexible material and has flexible couplingsalong its length. Additionally, a damping O-ring is utilized as part ofthe connection mechanism between the shank region and the handle.

Hafliger et al (U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0124333) discloses adisposable electric toothbrush that includes a handle region, a neckregion and a brush head. A device that causes vibration in the head isprovided in the neck region of the brush. A plurality of vibrationdamping regions is provided in the neck in a location disposed betweenthe vibration causing device and the handle. The vibration dampingregions comprise a plurality of substantially parallel notches that arecut into the neck and are filled with an elastically compliant material.The notches extend only over a portion of the neck's circumference. Thepublication also discloses that constrictions or bellows may be providedin the neck instead of the notches filled with elastically compliantmaterial.

Sorrentino (U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0163061) discloses adisposable vibrating toothbrush comprising a unitary handle, neck andbrush head. The toothbrush includes a vibration causing mechanism inthat is located in a rigid housing in the neck of the device. Thetoothbrush further includes one or more vibration isolating zoneslocated in the neck and adjacent the housing. These zones are regionswhere the neck material is reduced in cross-section, is thinned, removedor replaced by damping material so that vibrations are not easilytransmitted therethrough. The housing that contains the vibrationcausing mechanism provides additional support to these structurallyweakened areas. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0025156 (Asada et al)teaches a vibrating toothbrush having a handle with an elongated stemextending from one end. A replaceable sleeve that includes a brush headis slid over the stem and into engagement with the handle. Thetoothbrush also includes a device for causing vibration in the brushhead. This device is located in the stem and as the stem vibrates, thesleeve and therefore the brush head is caused to vibrate. The toothbrushalso includes a mechanism for mechanically isolating the vibration inthe brush head from the handle. This mechanism comprises an elasticmember that is used to secure the stem into the handle. The elasticmember is disposed within an interior chamber of the handle.

While all of the above toothbrushes function adequately, there is stilla need in the art for a vibrating toothbrush that includes an improveddamping mechanism for reducing the tendency of vibrations to betransmitted from the vibrating head to the handle of the brush.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The vibrating toothbrush of the present invention comprises a handleincluding a body with a tubular member extending outwardly from one end.A replaceable brush head sleeve slides over the tubular member anddetachably engages the body. One or more of the sleeve, tubular memberand body incorporate one or more vibration damping zones for reducingvibration transmission from the brush head sleeve to the handle. Thedamping zone is one of a material that differs in damping properties tothe material of the rest of the toothbrush; a hole defined in the one ofthe sleeve, tubular member and body, and a toothbrush where that hole isfilled with an elastomeric material.

A plurality of vibration damping zones may be provided on one or more ofthe sleeve, tubular member and body. The pattern of this plurality ofzones has an effect on the orbit of the vibration path of the brush headand thereby on the cleaning ability of the toothbrush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the bestmode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, areset forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings andare particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in theappended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vibrating toothbrush in accordancewith the present invention showing a first embodiment of a vibrationdamping zone, where the zone is located on the body of the handle;

FIG. 2 a is a front view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 b is a side view of the toothbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded partial cross-sectional side view of thetoothbrush of FIG. 1, showing the brush head sleeve detached from thehandle;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a denture brush incorporating the firstembodiment of the vibration damping zone;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vibrating toothbrush in accordancewith the present invention showing a second embodiment of a vibrationdamping zone, where a first zone is located on the body of the handleand a second zone is located on the brush head sleeve;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the toothbrush of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional front view of the brush head sleeve whendetached from the handle;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a vibrating toothbrush in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the handle of the toothbrush of FIG. 8 showinga third embodiment of a vibration damping zone, where the zone islocated on the tubular member and on the first end of the body of thehandle;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the toothbrush handle shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the tubular memberextending outwardly from a top end of the body of the handle showing thenature and location of the third embodiment of the vibration dampingzones in greater detail;

FIG. 12 is a top end view of the toothbrush of FIG. 8 showing theoscillatory motion of the brush head when the toothbrush incorporatesthe third embodiment of the vibration damping zones therein;

FIG. 13 is a front view of a toothbrush handle showing a fourthembodiment of vibration damping zone, where the zone is located on thetubular member and on the first end of the body of the handle;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the handle of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional front view of the tubular member shown inFIG. 13 showing the vibration damping zones in greater detail;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional side view of the tubular member and upperportion of the handle;

FIG. 17 is a top end view of the toothbrush of FIG. 13 showing theoscillatory motion of the brush head when the toothbrush incorporatesthe fourth embodiment of the vibration damping zones therein;

FIG. 18 is a front view of a toothbrush handle showing a fifthembodiment of a vibration damping zone, where the zone is located on thetubular member and on the first end of the body of the handle;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the handle of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional front view of the tubular member shown inFIG. 18 showing the vibration damping zones in greater detail;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional side view of the tubular member shown inFIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a top end view of the toothbrush of FIG. 18 showing theoscillatory motion of the brush head when the toothbrush incorporatesthe fifth embodiment of the vibration damping zones therein;

FIG. 23 is a front view of the toothbrush handle showing a sixthembodiment of a vibration damping zone therein, where the zone islocated on the tubular member and on the first end of the body of thehandle;

FIG. 24 is a side view of the toothbrush handle shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a top end view of the toothbrush of FIG. 23 showing theoscillatory motion of the brush head when the toothbrush incorporatesthe sixth embodiment of the vibration damping zones therein;

FIG. 26 is a front view of a toothbrush handle showing a seventhembodiment of vibrating damping zones therein, wherein the vibratingdamping zones are located on the tubular member and on the first end ofthe body of the handle;

FIG. 27 is a side view of the handle of FIG. 26; and

FIG. 28 is a top end view of the toothbrush of FIG. 26 showing theoscillatory motion of the brush head when the toothbrush incorporatesthe fifth embodiment of the vibration damping zones therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-28, there is shown a vibrating toothbrush inaccordance with the present invention. The toothbrush incorporates oneor more vibration damping zones that aid in reducing the tendency totransmit vibrations in the head of the brush to the handle. FIGS. 1-3show a toothbrush incorporating a first embodiment of vibration dampingzone in accordance with the present invention, where the zone is locatedon the first end of the body of the handle.

FIG. 4 shows a denture brush incorporating the first embodiment of thevibration damping zone, where the zone is located on the first end ofthe body of the handle.

FIGS. 5-7 show a toothbrush incorporating a second embodiment of avibration damping zone in accordance with the present invention, wherethe zone is located in the brush head sleeve and on the first end of thebody of the handle.

FIGS. 8-12 show a toothbrush incorporating a third embodiment of avibration damping zone in accordance with the present invention, wherethe zone is located in the tubular member and on the first end of thebody of the handle.

FIGS. 13-17 show a toothbrush incorporating a fourth embodiment of avibration damping zone in accordance with the present invention, wherethe zone is located in the tubular member and on the first end of thebody of the handle.

FIGS. 18-22 show a toothbrush incorporating a fifth embodiment of avibration damping zone in accordance with the present invention, wherethe zone is located in the tubular member and on the first end of thebody of the handle.

FIGS. 23-25 show a toothbrush incorporating a sixth embodiment of avibration damping zone in accordance with the present invention, wherethe zone is located in the tubular member and on the first end of thebody of the handle.

Finally, FIGS. 25-28 show a toothbrush incorporating a seventhembodiment of a vibration damping zone in accordance with the presentinvention, where the zone is located in the tubular member and on thefirst end of the body of the handle.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a vibrating toothbrush inaccordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 10.Toothbrush 10 includes a handle 12 that includes a body 20 and a tubularmember 26 (FIG. 3). Tubular member 26 extends outwardly away from afirst end 20 a of body 20 and a replaceable brush head engages thehandle. The brush head comprises a sleeve 14 that slides over thetubular member 26 and detachably engages the first end 20 a of body 20of handle 12. A plurality of bristle tufts 16 extend outwardly from oneend of sleeve 14. An on/off button 18 is provided on handle 12 toactivate and deactivate toothbrush 10.

As shown in FIG. 2 a, toothbrush 10 has a longitudinal axis “Y” thatextends from a first end 14 a of the sleeve 14 through to a second end20 b of body 20 and a horizontal axis “X” (FIG. 2 b) disposed at rightangles to longitudinal axis “Y”. Body 20, sleeve 14 and tubular member26 preferably are all manufactured from a durable, rigid plastic such asAcrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS).

Referring to FIG. 3, elongate body 20 is of a fairly uniform diameterbetween its first end 20 a and second end 20 b. Body 20 defines aninterior chamber 22 in which is housed a motor 24 and a power supply(not shown) for motor 24. As is well known in the art, the power supplymay comprise one or more batteries or electrical components for drawingpower from an alternating current source. The wiring between the variouscomponents in toothbrush 10 has not been shown in the attached Figuresin order to simplify the drawings.

Still referring to FIG. 3, elongate tubular member 26 extends outwardlyfrom first end 20 a of body 20. Tubular member 26 preferably is integralwith first end 20 a and is therefore fixedly attached to body 20.Alternatively, tubular member 26 may be detachably secured to body 20.Tubular member 26 is of a smaller diameter than body 20 and includes aperipheral wall 28 which tapers from proximate first end 20 a of body toterminate in a tip 30. Preferably, tip 30 is of a differentcross-sectional shape than peripheral wall 28 to aid in interlockinglyengaging tubular member 26 with sleeve 14. So, for example, asillustrated in FIG. 3, peripheral wall 28 is substantially circular incross-sectional shape while tip 30 is substantially square incross-sectional shape. Peripheral wall 28 defines an interior cavity 32that may be continuous with chamber 22 (as shown in FIG. 3) or may beseparated therefrom. Cavity 32 terminates in a recess 34 in tip 30 andrecess 34 preferably is continuous with cavity 32.

A first end of a stainless steel drive shaft 36 is engaged via a springconnector 37 with a shaft 39 that extends from motor 24. Drive shaft 36extends through chamber 22 and cavity 32 and the second end of shaft 36is seated within recess 34. An eccentric weight 38 is engaged on oneside of drive shaft 36 proximate tip 30. Consequently, when drive shaft36 is rotated by motor 24, the single weight 38 causes tubular member 26to vibrate.

Referring still to FIG. 3, the brush head sleeve 14 has a first end 14 aand a second end 14 b. First end 14 a is formed into a narrower,substantially planar member 40 that is extends substantially parallel tothe longitudinal axis “Y” of toothbrush 10. Bristles 16 extend outwardlyfrom one face of planar member 40 and at right angles to longitudinalaxis “Y”. Planar member 40 and bristles 16 form a head for toothbrush10. Sleeve 14 further includes an outer wall 42 that extends downwardlyaway from planar member 40 and terminates at second end 14 b. Outer wall42 preferably is substantially circular in cross-sectional shape andflares outwardly from a narrow region proximate planar member 40 to awider region at second end 14 b. Outer wall 42 defines an aperture 44therein, Aperture 44 is complementary to the exterior surface ofperipheral wall 28 of tubular member 26 and includes a recessed region46 that is complementary to the exterior surface of tip 30. Sleeve 14 isdesigned to slide over tubular member 26 and to detachably engage firstend 20 a of body 20 of handle 12.

Since tubular member 26 is complementary to aperture 44 of sleeve 14,sleeve 14 frictionally engages peripheral wall 28 thereof. When motor 24is activated and the drive shaft 36 is rotated causing tubular member 26to vibrate, this vibration is passed from tubular member 26 to sleeve14. The sleeve 14, and more specifically the planar member 40 at thefirst end 14 a of sleeve 14 is therefore caused to vibrate and it isthis vibration that moves the bristles up-and-down and/or side-to-sideto clean teeth. The vibration therefore aids in effectively removeplaque and debris from the teeth of the user of the toothbrush. There isa tendency for the vibration of the tubular member 26 and sleeve 14 tobe transmitted to the body 20. If these vibrations are too large and toointense, it is uncomfortable for a user to hold handle 12 of thetoothbrush 10 for any period of time.

In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention,toothbrush 10 is provided with a vibration damping zone to lessen thevibrations transmitted from the sleeve 14 and tubular member 26 back tobody 20. A first embodiment of a vibration damping zone in accordancewith the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3 and is generallyindicated at 60. Specifically, vibration damping zone 60 is providedalong an exterior front surface of first end 20 a of body 20. Vibrationdamping zone 60 is therefore clamped between body 20 and second end 14 bof sleeve 14 when sleeve 14 is engaged with first end 20 a of body 20.Furthermore, zone 60 is disposed substantially at right angles tolongitudinal axis “Y”. It will be understood, however, that vibrationdamping zone 60 may, alternatively, be applied to the second end 14 b ofsleeve 14.

In accordance with yet another specific feature of the presentinvention, zone 60 may take several forms. In a first form, zone 60 isan annular groove or hole cut into the first end 20 a of body 20.Consequently, the thickness of the first end 20 a in this zone 60 iseither greatly reduced or a portion thereof is completely removed. Agroove or hole in of itself will reduce the tendency of vibrations to bepassed from the vibrating sleeve 14 through zone 60 and back to the restof handle 12. Alternatively, a groove or hole is cut into first end 20 aand a material that differs from the material used to manufacture therest of body 20 is injected into that groove or hole. Specifically, thematerial used to fill the hole or groove differs in its vibrationtransmission properties relative to the material used to manufacture therest of body 20. Preferably, the material injected into the groove orhole in the zone 60 is a rubber-like elastomeric material that tends todamp vibrations. Alternatively, instead of a hole or groove being cutinto first end 20 a, first end 20 a may be molded from two differentmaterials. In this latter instance, the material used in the vibrationdamping zone 60 has improved vibration damping properties relative tothe rest of the first end 20 a.

In this first embodiment of the invention, vibration damping zone 60preferably comprises an annular ring of elastomeric material that isapplied to first end 20 a of body 20. This elastomeric ring may beinjected into an annular groove cut into first end 20 a. Alternatively,the elastomeric ring may comprise a resilient O-ring made from anelastomeric material that is inserted into a groove in first end 20 oris adhered or otherwise secured thereto. In either instance, vibrationsin sleeve 14 are damped when they reach vibration damping zone 60 at thesecond end 14 b of sleeve 14 and the vibrations are therefore nottransmitted to body 20 of handle 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates a denture brush 10 a that incorporates the firstembodiment of vibration damping zone 60 in accordance with the presentinvention. All components in the denture brush 10 a are substantiallyidentical to toothbrush 10 and are identically numbered. Denture brush10 a differs from toothbrush 10 in that the planar member 40 includes afirst set of bristles 17 a that extend outwardly from a front face ofthe planar member 40 and a second set of bristles 17 b that extendoutwardly from a rear face of the planar member 40. The first set ofbristles 17 a are complementary shaped to clean the U-shaped groove in aset of dentures (not shown), while the second set of bristles 17 b areshaped to clean the teeth surfaces of a set of dentures.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, there is shown a vibrating toothbrush 110 inaccordance with the present invention. Toothbrush 110 includessubstantially all of the same components of toothbrush 10 shown in FIGS.1-4 with some differences being incorporated into the sleeve of thetoothbrush 110. All the components of the handle 12 are substantiallyidentical to those shown in FIGS. 1-4. The sleeve in FIGS. 5-7 differsfrom that shown in FIGS. 1-4 and is therefore represented by thereference character 114. The nature, components and function of sleeve114 are substantially identical to that of sleeve 14 except that sleeve114 incorporates a second embodiment of a vibration damping zone inaccordance with the present invention, Sleeve 114 has a first end 114 aand a second end 114 b. A planar member 140 is provided at first end 114a and has a plurality of bristles 116 extending outwardly therefrom andsubstantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis “Y” of toothbrush110. Sleeve 114 further includes an outer wall 142 that surrounds anddefines an aperture 144 therein (FIG. 7). The aperture 144 includes arecessed region 146 configured to tightly receive the tip 30 of thetubular member 126 therein.

In accordance with the present invention, body 20 includes a firstannular vibration damping zone 160 and sleeve 114 includes a secondannular vibration damping zone 162. Second zone 162 is spaced a distanceaway from first zone 160 when sleeve 14 is engaged with first end 20 a.Second vibration damping zone 162 is not simply an annular ring but,instead, includes a plurality of differently oriented regions havingvibration damping properties different to that of the surrounding outerwall 142. A first and a second group of these differently orientedregions are indicated as regions 164 and 166. These first and secondregions 164, 166 are oriented substantially at right angles to thelongitudinal axis “Y” of toothbrush 110 but are spaced at differentdistances away from second end 114 b of sleeve 114. A third group ofregions, indicated as regions 168, are oriented substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis “Y” and connect the first and second regions164, 166 to each other. This pattern of the first, second and thirdregions in vibration damping zone 162 aids in dissipating vibrationsthat are transmitted through sleeve 114 toward second end 114 b thereof.The combination of damping zone 160 on handle 12 and damping zone 162 onsleeve 14 aids in effectively reducing the transmission of vibrationsfrom sleeve 14 to body 20.

As was the case with the first embodiment, vibration damping zone 160may comprise an annular groove cut into first end 20 a, or the materialin zone 160 may differ from the rest of the material in first end 20 aor zone 160 may comprise a rubber-like elastomeric ring adhered to firstend 20 a of body 20. The elastomeric ring would be clamped betweensleeve 114 and first end 20 a. Similarly, vibration damping zone 162 maycomprise grooves cut into outer wall 142 in the pattern of the first,second and third group of regions 164, 166, 168. Alternatively, sleeve114 may be molded with the first, second and third group of regions 164,166, 168 being formed from a different material to that of the rest ofouter wall 162 where the different material is more flexible than thematerial used to form the rest of the outer wall 162. Still further, thefirst, second and third regions 164, 166, 168 may comprise a pluralityof patterned grooves cut into the outer wall 142 and filled with anelastomer.

It will be understood that sleeve 114 (FIG. 7) could be sold separatelyas a replaceable brush head that is able to be engaged with handle 12when the previously used brush head is worn out. In this instance, theuser will simply disengage the worn sleeve from handle 12 and willengage a new sleeve therewith. As is known in the art, bristles 116 ofsleeve 114 could be provided with color bands to indicate to the userwhen to replace the sleeve.

Referring to FIGS. 8-12, there is shown a toothbrush 210 in accordancewith the present invention that incorporates a third embodiment of avibration damping zone. The toothbrush 210 shown in these figuresincludes substantially all of the same components as shown in FIGS. 1-4with some differences being incorporated into the sleeve 214 and thetubular member 226. As the components in the body 20 remain unchanged,they are numbered in the same way as in FIGS. 1-4.

The sleeve 214 incorporated into toothbrush 210 differs from sleeve 14in that it is not provided with any vibration damping zone therein.

Consequently, sleeve 214 includes a planar member 240 with a pluralityof bristles 216 extending outwardly therefrom. Sleeve 214 furtherincludes an outer wall 242 that is made from the same material along itsentire length. Outer wall 242 defines an aperture 244 that includes arecessed region 246 therein. The second end 214 b of sleeve 214interlockingly engages with first end 20 a of body 20.

Referring still to FIGS. 8-12, tubular member 226 includes a peripheralwall 228 that extends outwardly from first end 20 a of body 20 andterminates in a tip 230. Tubular member 226 defines an interior cavity232 that preferably is substantially continuous with the chamber 22 inbody 20. The drive shaft 36 from the motor 24 extends through interiorcavity 232 and is seated in recess 234. The eccentric weight 38 ismounted on the drive shaft 36.

In accordance with a specific feature of the present invention, tubularmember 226 is provided with the third embodiment of a vibration dampingzone indicated generally by the reference character 270. These vibrationdamping zones 270 include two holes 272 cut into the ABS plastic used toform peripheral wall 228. A vibration damping material 274, such as arubber-like elastomer, is then molded or injected into holes 272 to fillthe same. Additionally, a layer 276 of the same vibration dampingmaterial 274 is injected over a portion of the exterior surface ofperipheral wall 228 of tubular member 226 and the exterior surface offirst end 20 a of body 20. Layer 276 therefore comprises a first annularregion 276 a and a second annular region 276 b. First annular region 276a extends for a distance along peripheral wall 228 of tubular member226. Second annular region 276 b comprises an elastomeric coating thatcovers the exterior surface of the end wall of body 20. When sleeve 214is slidingly received over tubular member 226, the second end 214 b ofsleeve 214 frictionally engages first region 276 a of vibration dampingmaterial 274 and abuts region 276 b. Region 276 b thereby separatessecond end 214 b of sleeve 214 from first end 20 a of body 20.

The presence of these vibration damping zones causes tubular member 226to flex or vibrate more in one direction than in another. Referring toFIG. 12, the presence of vibration damping zones 270 causes the planarmember 240 and bristles 216 to flex in substantially one direction in atight orbital path indicated by pathway “A” in this figure. In thismotion “A”, which is exaggerated in this figure for clarity, the brushend of sleeve 214 flexes more in an up-and-down direction and less in aside-to-side direction. By “up-and-down”, the Applicant means motion ina plane that is substantially parallel to the “Y” axis” shown on FIG.12. By “side-to-side”, the Applicant means motion in a plane that issubstantially parallel to the “X” axis shown on FIG. 12. The orbitalpathway shown in FIG. 12 is almost the desired path for the tips 216 aof bristles 216. A side-to-side movement of the brush head does notcause much of a useful brushing motion at the bristle tips 216 a, but anup-and down motion of the brush head does translate to an up-and downmotion of the bristle tips 216 a and this is the most effective cleaningstroke when brushing teeth with a vibrating toothbrush.

Referring now to FIGS. 13-17, there is shown a fourth embodiment of avibration damping zone used in a vibrating toothbrush to minimizetransmittal of vibrations from the sleeve 314 to the body 20. Althoughnot illustrated herein in detail, the sleeve used with the handle may beany of the previously illustrated sleeves, 14, 114 or 214. All othercomponents of the body 20 are substantially identical with those shownin FIG. 1. Tubular member 314 includes a peripheral wall 328 and a tip330 that extend outwardly from first end 20 a of body 20. Drive shaft 36extends into cavity 332 of tubular member 314 and the end thereof isseated in recess 334 in tip 330. In this instance, the fourth embodimentof the vibration damping zone includes two substantially oval holes 372that are cut into opposing sides of peripheral wall 328 as was the casein the previous embodiment, However, the fourth embodiment furtherincorporates two additional oval holes 378 cut into the two opposingsides intermediate those containing holes 372. Holes 378 are disposedfurther away from first end 20 a of body than are holes 372.

As with the previous embodiment, a resilient rubber-like elastomer isinjected into holes 378, 372 to fill the same. The presence of the twosets of opposing holes 372, 378 enables tubular member 326 to flex intwo directions as will be hereinafter described. Furthermore, a layer376 of vibration-damping elastomer is injected over the exterior surfaceof the lower portion of peripheral wall 328 and exterior end wall ofbody 20 thereby forming an annular first region 376 a on peripheral wall328 and annular second region 376 b that is disposed at right angles tothe longitudinal axis “Y”. This pattern of vibration damping zones 372,376 and 378 causes the head, made up of the planar member 340 andbristles 316 of toothbrush 310 to move through a more circular orbitalpath than in the previous embodiment. This more circular orbital path isidentified by the reference character “B” in FIG. 17. The vibration insleeve 314 causes bristle tips 316 a to go through both of anup-and-down motion and a side-to-side motion. Damping zones 372, 376 and378 substantially reduce the intensity of the vibrations transmittedfrom sleeve 314 and tubular member 326 to body 20.

FIGS. 18 -21 show a fifth embodiment of a vibration damping zone appliedto a vibrating toothbrush to diminish handle vibration. As with theprevious embodiment, the sleeve that engages the handle shown in Figs,18 and 19 may be any of the sleeves 14, 114 and 214 without departingfrom the spirit of the present invention. A tubular member 426 extendsoutwardly from first end 20 a of body 20 and terminates in a tip 430.Eccentric drive shaft 36 connects via the spring connection 37 to shaft39 extending from motor 24 and terminates at the other end in recess 434in tip 430. In this fifth embodiment, a plurality of substantiallyparallel slots 480 is cut into opposing surfaces of the peripheral wall428 of tubular member 426. Slots 480 are disposed substantially at rightangles to longitudinal axis “Y”. Each slot 480 has a generallyrounded-oval shape and preferably is filled with a material that dampsvibrations better than the material utilized to form peripheral wall428. Preferably, the material is a vibration damping elastomericmaterial 474 that is injected into slots 480. As can be seen from FIGS.18 and 19, each slot 480 preferably has a length that is smaller thanhalf of the circumference of the circularly shaped tubular member 426.It will be understood however that slots of greater or lesser lengthscan be utilized in tubular member 426 without departing from the spiritof the present invention. Layers 476 a around the exterior circumferenceof peripheral wall 428 proximate first end 20 a and 476 b applied toexterior face of first end 20 a at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y”are also provided.

FIG. 22 illustrates the orbital path “C” through which bristle tips 416a are moved in response to vibrations caused by the eccentric weight 38on drive shaft 36 proximate tip 430. Planar member 440 and bristles 416are caused to describe this pathway because of the vibratory motion thatis reduced by vibration damping zones 480, 476 a and 476 b. Vibrationdamping zones 480 filled with elastomer 474 and layers 476 a, 476 bsurrounding the end of tubular member 426 proximate body 20 aid inreducing the severity of vibrations transmitted from the sleeve 414 andtubular member 426 to the body 420. It will be noted that vibrationdamping zones 480, 476 a, 476 b permit substantially the same orbitalpath as the embodiment shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 23-25 shows a sixth embodiment of vibration damping zones that maybe incorporated into a tubular member 526 of a vibratory toothbrush. Inthis instance, a plurality of diamond shaped holes 582 are cut into theperipheral wall 528 and are then filled with elastomeric material 584.The elastomeric layers 576 a, 576 b are also applied onto an exteriorsurface of peripheral wall 528 adjacent first end 20 a of body 20 and tothe end wall of body 20 adjacent tubular member 526. The orbital pathdescribed by the planar member 540 and the tips 516 a of bristles 516 isshown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 26-28 show a seventh embodiment of vibration damping zonesincorporated in a tubular member 626 of a vibrating toothbrush inaccordance with the present invention. In this instance, tubular member626 incorporates a plurality of vertically wider diamond shaped holes690 and a plurality of vertically narrower diamond shaped holes 692.Holes 690 and 692 are illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27. In other words,holes 692 are narrower in dimension in a direction aligned with thelongitudinal axis “Y” of the handle 20 than are the holes 690. The widerholes 690 are defined in the opposing front and back of peripheral wall628 and are arranged in rows along peripheral wall 628. In other words,wider holes 690 are aligned with each other in rows along the plane ofthe “Y” axis shown in FIG. 28. Holes 690 are shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 asspaced a distance vertically apart from each other. The narrower holes692 are defined in the opposing sides of peripheral wall 628, where thesides are disposed intermediate the front and back faces of theperipheral wall 628. In other words, the narrower holes are aligned witheach other along the plane defined by the “X” axis shown in FIG. 28.Holes 692 are also arranged in rows and are vertically spaced apart fromeach other. Each hole 690, 692 has an elastomeric material injected intothe same. As is the case with the previous two embodiments, tubularmember 626 also preferably is provided with an annular band 676 a ofelastomeric material overlaying the exterior surface of the end ofperipheral wall 628 and an annular layer 676 b of elastomeric materialoverlays the end wall at first end 20 a of body 20 immediately adjacentperipheral wall 628. FIG. 28 shows the orbital path “E” of the head ofthe toothbrush when this pattern of vibration damping zones isincorporated into tubular member 626. In this instance the orbital path“E” taken by the head of the toothbrush is mostly in an up-and-downdirection, but there is also good side-to-side vibration isolation. Theorbital path “E” is the result of the specific pattern of damping zones690, 692 and 676. The orbital path “E” results in the handle 12 of thebrush not vibrating excessively when the toothbrush is activated.

The Applicant has determined that by controlling the size, number andwidth of the vibration damping zones, the orbital path of the head ofthe toothbrush can be controlled to be in any desired oval, round orvertical shape. More specifically, by increasing the size of aparticular insert, more flexibility may be achieved in that particulardirection and by decreasing the size of an insert, less flexibilitywould be achieved in that particular direction. As such, by changing theshape and the size of a particular vibration damping zone, the brushingor cleaning action may be tailor made to provide a more aggressive, lessaggressive, more rotational or less rotational movement based on thedesired characteristics of a particular brush head.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention are anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

1. A vibrating toothbrush comprising: a handle having a first end and asecond end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; a generallytubular member extending longitudinally outwardly from the first end ofthe handle and terminating in a tip remote therefrom; the tubular memberbeing fixedly secured to the first end of the handle; a cavity definedwithin the tubular member; a motor mounted within the handle; a driveshaft extending outwardly from the motor and into the cavity of thetubular member; said drive shaft having an eccentric weight securedthereto; a replaceable sleeve having an outer wall with a first end anda second end; a plurality of bristles extending outwardly from the firstend of the sleeve; an aperture defined in the second end of the sleeve,said aperture being complementary to the tubular member; whereby saidsleeve is slidingly engaged over said tubular member; a first vibrationdamping zone provided in the tubular member; and a second vibrationdamping zone provided in the tubular member a spaced distance from thefirst vibration damping zone.
 2. The toothbrush as defined in claim 1,wherein the tubular member is made from a first material and the firstand second vibration damping zones include a hole or a groove cut intothe first material.
 3. The toothbrush as defined in claim 2, wherein thefirst and second vibration damping zones further include a secondmaterial injected into the hole or groove, and the second materialdiffers in vibration transmission properties to the first material. 4.The toothbrush as defined in claim 3, wherein the second material ismore flexibly resilient than the first material.
 5. The toothbrush asdefined in claim 3, wherein the second material is an elastomer.
 6. Thetoothbrush as defined in claim 1, wherein the first vibration dampingzone is provided at a first end of the tubular member and is disposedsubstantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of thetoothbrush.
 7. The toothbrush as defined in claim 6, wherein the secondvibration damping zone is disposed substantially parallel to the firstvibration damping zone.
 8. The toothbrush as defined in claim 7, whereinthe tubular member is generally circular in cross-section and the firstvibration damping zone extends substantially around the entirecircumference of the tubular member.
 9. The toothbrush as defined inclaim 8, wherein the second vibration damping zone does not extendaround the entire circumference of the tubular member.
 10. Thetoothbrush as defined in claim 9, wherein the second vibration dampingzone comprises two generally semi-circular vibration damping regionsthat are disposed on the same plane.
 11. The toothbrush as defined inclaim 8, wherein the second vibration damping zone includes one or moreslots filled with the second material, and wherein each slot is lessthan half of the circumference of the tubular member.
 12. The toothbrushas defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one third vibrationdamping zone on the tubular member, said at least one third vibrationdamping zone being disposed a spaced distance from the second vibrationdamping zone.
 13. The toothbrush as defined in claim 12, wherein the atleast one third vibration damping zone is disposed substantiallyparallel to the second vibration damping zone.
 14. The toothbrush asdefined in claim 12, wherein the at least one third vibration dampingzone is substantially identical in appearance to the second vibrationdamping zone.
 15. The toothbrush as defined in claim 12, wherein the atleast one third vibration damping zone includes a hole or a groove cutinto the first material.
 16. The toothbrush as defined in claim 15,wherein the at least one third vibration damping zone further includes asecond material injected into the hole or groove, and the secondmaterial differs in vibration transmission properties to the firstmaterial.
 17. The toothbrush as defined in claim 15, wherein the secondmaterial is more flexibly resilient than the first material.
 18. Thetoothbrush as defined in claim 17, wherein the second material is anelastomer.
 19. The toothbrush as defined in claim 5, wherein theelastomeric second material used in the first vibration damping zoneincludes an annular layer applied around an exterior surface of an endof the tubular member adjacent the handle.
 20. The toothbrush as definedin claim 19, wherein the annular layer includes a first region disposedat right angles to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush, and a secondregion disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of thetoothbrush.
 21. The toothbrush as defined in claim 1, wherein theplurality of bristles that extend outwardly from the first end of thesleeve comprises: a first set of bristles that extend outwardly from afront face of the first end, said first set of bristles being adapted toclean a U-shaped groove in a set of dentures; and a second set ofbristles that extend outwardly from a rear face of the first end, saidsecond set of bristles being adapted to clean a plurality of teethsurfaces on the set of dentures.